I woke up to an empty space next to me. Certainly, something unusual to me so I got up and went downstairs to find him.
“There you are my sweet boy,” I whispered as he came in to sight.
My eyes still drowsy, fighting to stay open as the time read 4AM.
His legs were against his chest, arms wrapped around them as his head laid between them.
*Something was wrong.*
I treaded slowly towards him, squatting down at his level as I placed my hand over his knee.
“What’s wrong darling?”
He lifted his head up and faced me. His eyes heavy with worry. The bags under his eyes, clearly evidence of him unable to sleep tonight.
I placed a hand over his cheek, softly rubbing my thumb against it.
“Mommy’s here. Did you have another nightmare?”
He slowly nods.
You see, Caleb was a strong man. Muscles and abs in the exterior yet inside, he was a vulnerable man. And sometimes, he had nights where it felt like bricks fell over his shoulders and he needed someone to help him bare the weight – causing him nightmares and anxiety. He was a man that required to be taken care of. And that’s, where I came in..